Pin-Tuck Timesaver

Want to save time when cutting out a garment that you plan to pin-tuck? Rather than estimating the amount of fabric the tucks will use and altering the pattern, I sew the tucks on the fabric first, then place the pattern on it and cut it out.

Start with a rectangle of fabric slightly larger than the pattern piece. Sew the tucks, and then place your pattern piece over the tucked fabric, so the tucks fall where you want. Use a fabric marker or chalk to mark the outline of the pattern piece. Using a short stitch, sew around the pattern shape, just inside the marked line. This secures the tucks and prevents them from coming unstitched. Then cut out the garment section just beyond the stitched line.